Benedict XVI spoke for the first time in public about the beatification of John Paul II during the Angelus yesterday, describing it as a joyous occasion for the whole Church (full text, video).
Rome is bracing itself for some two million pilgrims on May 1, the day of John Paul II's beatification.
The Pope will demonstrate his support for the Neocatechumenal Way today when he welcomes the movement's leaders in a public audience.
The Pope has named Werner Arber as the first-ever non-Catholic head of the Pontifical Academy for the Sciences.
